Winston Reid - West Ham's best defender v Leicester

Winston Reid proved his importance to West Ham with a commanding display as they beat Leicester City 2-0.

With Manchester United dropping points, the Hammers closed the gap on the Premier League's third placed team to just one point.

Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing scored the goals, but a clean sheet was every bit as vital to the victory. Here's a look at how the defenders rated:

Match

Won Tackles

Interceptions

Aerial Duels Won

Accurate Crosses

Shots Blocked

Assists

Goals

Total

Mins Played

Winston Reid

West Ham vs Leicester

2

5

12

0

1

0

0

20

90

James Tomkins

West Ham vs Leicester

0

1

9

0

0

0

0

10

69

Aaron Cresswell

West Ham vs Leicester

1

1

3

0

0

0

0

5

90

James Collins

West Ham vs Leicester

0

0

1

0

1

0

0

2

21

Carl Jenkinson

West Ham vs Leicester

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

1

90

Using HITC's formula to assess defensive performances by adding up key attributes, Reid's score of 20 was the very best in the entire Premier League on Saturday.

Reid won just one less aerial duel than the rest of his fellow defenders combined, and delivered more than twice as many interceptions than the rest of them put together.

There remains uncertainty over the centre-back's future with his contract up at the end of the season, and rival clubs interested, but if the Hammers want to continue their upwards trend, keeping him will be essential.

Dan Coombs

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